No, no, no! Not THAT kind of engaged. Have you NOT been listening to me all these months? I’m good doing exactly what I’m doing in my romantic relationship for now. Totally happy and no plans to change the dynamic anytime soon. I’m talking about the kind of engaged that uses your core, better known as abdominal exercises. Since my issue with my lower back and the lifesaving shot of cortisone I received direct to the trouble spot, I’m tasked with hitting the gym regularly and returning to some semblance of shape. (Yes, I already know that round is a shape. Haha.) And this is serious business.
A few years ago I got real about my health. I hired a trainer and faithfully worked out in the gym three days a week for two years. That doesn’t sound like a huge commitment. But my sessions were at 6am, even in the dead of winter and the heat of summer. (And this was in addition to my Central Park miles with Phyllis!) When I had to skip a weekday session for work or travel or illness, I made up that hour on the weekend. I was a gym warrior. And during that time, I had not a single back issue. Plus I had the benefit of a strong core, toned arms, and overall strength and definition. And, truth be told, I felt a little bit like a badass.
Fast forward a few years and I’ve completely fallen off the workout wagon. I had to let my trainer go, my gym was closed due to Covid, and honestly, I wanted to stop. But I see that when I neglected taking care of myself, my body suffered, especially my back. I barely manage the drag and schlep through the airport successfully with a rollerboard and the reach into the overhead compartment has become a struggle. The pain has been constant and bothersome and some days even debilitating.
In my house we only do Ailment Log on Mondays where we share the health issues we are having and I’m tired of always piping up with, “My back is fucking killing me!” So it’s into the gym once more to re-engage those neglected muscles. And I’d like to pretend that I’m happy about this renewed protocol, but I’m not and yes, I’m still doing it anyway because I’m an adult and I take responsibility… eventually.
As for the other other kind of engaged, I like to tell people that I’m engaged to be engaged. Doesn’t that sound promising to folks who keep track of those sorts of things? Besides, it’s not even crunch time yet! Well… not that kind anyway.
jenslittleblackbook.com 